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Director Ben Barenholtz has played a pivotal role in the independent film world as an exhibitor, distributor, and producer.
In 1968, he opened the Elgin Cinema, which became the most innovative specialty and revival theater globally. It revived classics like Buster Keaton’s films and showcased cult, underground, and experimental movies catering to the rising countercultural audience.
Barenholtz pioneered new film screening methods, most notably creating the Midnight Movie concept in 1970 with Jodorowsky's El Topo. This was followed by screenings of John Waters' Pink Flamingos and Perry Henzell's The Harder They Come.
In 1972, he founded Libra Films. Libra’s first distribution was a revival of Jean-Pierre Melville’s Les Enfants Terrible, followed by Tacchella’s Cousin, Cousine, which became one of the highest-grossing foreign films in the US and earned three Academy Award nominations. Libra also launched and distributed George Romero’s Martin, John Sayles’ debut feature Return of the Secaucus Seven, and David Lynch’s first film Eraserhead.
In 1984, Barenholtz partnered with Ted and Jim Pedas to create Circle Releasing. Circle released films such as Yoshimitsu Morita’s The Family Game, Guy Maddin’s debut Tales From the Gimli Hospital, Vincent Ward’s The Navigator, John Woo’s The Killer, Catherine Breillat’s 36 Fillette, Alain Cavalier’s Therese, and Blood Simple, the Coen brothers’ first film. He continued collaborating with the Coens on Raising Arizona, Miller’s Crossing, and Barton Fink, which won the Palme d’Or at the 1991 Cannes Film Festival, along with Best Director and Best Actor honors—a unique achievement where the top three awards went to the same film.
Barenholtz later produced George Romero’s Bruiser, J Todd Anderson’s The Naked Man, executive-produced Gregory Hines’ sole directorial effort Bleeding Hearts, and Ulu Grossbard’s Georgia. He also co-executive produced Darren Aronofsky’s Requiem for a Dream. Barenholtz directed his first feature documentary, Music Inn, about the iconic 1950s jazz venue, followed by Wakaliwood, filmed entirely in Kampala’s slums.
In 2016, he was honored with the Berlinale Camera award at the Berlinale Film Festival for his contributions to independent cinema.
He directed his first narrative film, Alina, starring Darya Ekamasova, set for release in Fall 2017. He is currently developing an autobiographical film titled Aaron, along with a sequel to Alina.
However, his most famous moment remains a five-second cameo in George Romero’s original Dawn of the Dead.
